The cider mill was built in 1892 by Benjamin Isaac Miller (arms crossed), a farmer and Avon’s First Selectman (1909). Born in Avon, B.I. Miller... Show moreThe cider mill was built in 1892 by Benjamin Isaac Miller (arms crossed), a farmer and Avon’s First Selectman (1909). Born in Avon, B.I. Miller lived in the vicinity of Cider Brook Road. The boy is probably his son, Ruben Miller. Frank Hadsell wrote about the apple trees from his home on East Main Street and the apple pies made by his mother, Jane Hadsell. “We had several apple trees on the place, all bearing well. It was Mother’s habit to pare, cut, and dry a lot of apples every fall, and on [September] 24th [1899], I gave her an apple parer, hoping it would be a great help to her. In this way the carved fruit that would have rotted (and… sun dried apples make excellent pies - at least they did in mother’s hands)…furnished the base for her splendid apple cakes….” Ben Miller (June 17, 1868-1949) was born in Avon, and married Louise Ostmeyer of New Britain on February 24, 1892. Original title in CBH’s list for photograph #005: “Ben Miller at Cider Mill and Men.” Original title on his paper sleeve: “Ben Miller & Party of Men, Oct. 15, 1899.” Sleeve marked in pencil “CH” Source: Frank Hadsell Diary, 1899, Volume 16, p. 3. Caption by Nora O. Howard, Avon Town Historian, 2017. Show less